From Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, Aug 27: The only surviving Maram Naga Queen Apei Hinga passed away at her traditional house at Maram Khullen village in Manipur’s Senapati district, at 2 pm on Friday afternoon.
The 86-year old Maram Queen who had been seriously ill for some time, was being looked after round-the-clock by her only surviving son and present Khullakpa (village chief) K Namba and her granddaughters at Maram Khullen village, around 86 km north of Imphal. The queen had been struggling with problems related to the heart and lungs since the first week of August.
Though no one knows how strong the power of legend is to get success in every aspect of life, many have thronged the Queen’s place to get her blessings till the last hour with the belief it is very auspicious.
Meanwhile, Maram Students’ Union (MKS) has appealed to the masses and well wishers to attend the ritual ceremony and traditional last rites of the Queen tomorrow.
Known for her justice and her role as a peace loving mother, the Naga Women’s Union Manipur (NWUM) had conferred the title ‘Best Mother’ in 2006 on her. Pioneer Health Club Manipur with its office at Khurai Tinsid Road, Imphal had acknowledged and awarded a citation to the Queen on the International Day of Older Persons in October 2009.
The Queen brought about many social changes in the Maram society by abolishing in 1968, the traditional practice of “M-Bung Katai” under which law a pregnant woman undergoing a difficult labour is ill-treated, thus upholding the status of women in Maram society. In 1975, the Queen also lifted the restriction on inter-clan and inter-tribe marriages. She also proclaimed the freedom to villagers to start cultivation works in their own convenient season even before or after the Saraha Kati Lura Manai (seed-sowing).
It is my sincere hope that people will remember Apei Hinga’s message which is ‘to make a difference’ irrespective of your status and situation, be genuinely care for other which comes from honesty and respect for self and others. I am humbled and proud to be a Maram today. Thank you Apei Hinga, may your soul rest in peace. jjsmaram
It is my sincere hope that people will remember Apei Hinga’s message which is ‘to make a difference’ irrespective of your status and situation, be genuinely care for other which comes from honesty and respect for self and others. I am humbled and proud to be a Maram today. Thank you Apei Hinga, may your soul rest in peace. jjsmaram
I have not met or heard about Apei Hinga before until the last few months, I am humbled and proud to be a Maram knowing that Apei Hinga has shown us to be “selfless, genuine and respect for life.”